Mailing-machine.



PATENTED OUT. 1, 1907.

J. C. THOMSON. MAILING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEO.16, 1906.

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PATENTED 001". 1, 1907 J. o. THOMSON. MAILING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED DBO.15, 1906.

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llI/l/ENTOR C(Jbh' C ZVwmsan PATENTED OUT. 1, 1907. J U THOMSON MAILING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED D3015, 1906.

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. PATENTED OCT. 1, 1907. J. 0. THOMSON. MAILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED D'E0.15, 1906.

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ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

JOHN G. THOMSON, or ROOIC ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

MAILING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Application filed December 16,1906. Serial NO- 347,979.

provements in mailing machines and it particularly relatesto that type of mailing'm achines in which means are provided for pasting labels on magazines,

' papers or other articles, the labels being pasted on the article by the machine and cut from a continuous strip.

Primarily, my invention has for its Object to provide a machine of this character of avery simple and effectplied for use.

ive construction, which can be easily and cheaply manufactured, which will be rapid and accurate in its operation, and which will readily and effectively serve its intended purposes. l i

In its generic nature, m'y invention comprises a support upon which a reel is mounted on which the labels are held, the labels being printed on a continuous strip,

means mounted on the support for feeding the strip toward the paper upon which the label is to be pasted,- means for gumming the label, and means for cutting the label from the strip and simultaneously applying it to the 'article to be labeled./, r

In its more detailed nature, my invention comprises certain novel construction, combination and arrangement,of parts all of which will be first described in detail and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a perspective view Of my invention ap- Fig. 2, is.a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3, is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 4, is a vertical, longitudinal section bu the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5, is a detail perspective view of the pivotally mounted roller carrying frame. Fig. 6, is a detail perspective view of the cutting knife and presser. Fig. 7, is a detail perspective view of the adjustable guide and the shaft upon which it is mounted. Fig. 8, is a detail side elevation of a portion of my invention. Fig. 9, is a view of'a slightly modified form of my invention showing how the same may be operated by mechanical power instead of a foot lever as in the form shown in Figs.,l to 3 of the drawings. Fig. 10, is an enlarged section on the line l0]0 of Fig. 2. Fig. 11, is an enlarged detail perspective view partly in section, showing the presser knife adjusting means. Fig. 12, is a partial perspective view of the paste-pan, showing scraping front.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters and numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures .it will be seen that 1 represents the table or stand upon which the bed plate 2 of the 'machine may be secured in any approved manner. The bed plate Of the machine comprises an front edge of the elongated portion 2 of thebed'plate 2 is arranged to project Over the front edgel of. the table 1 while the rear end of the elongated portion 2 of the bed plate 2 is provided with a pair of bearing posts 33, connected by a transverse shaft 4 which the reel or bobbin 5 is mounted.

. The bobbin 5 is secured to turn with the shaft 4 .by a keyor otherwise, as indicated in dotted lines on' Fig. 2,

'of winding the endless tape Or sheet of address portions on the bobbin '5.

At the forward end of the bed '2, the same is provided with a pair of upwardly projecting portions 2 at the article to be pasted to pass under'the bed plate for a purpose presently more fully understood.

Between the upwardly projecting portions 2 of the bed plate and the reel or bobbin 5 and adjacent the forward portion of the bed plate, apaste-pan (i is mounted on the bed plate 2 and parallel with the elongated portion 2 thereof, The rear end ofthe pastepan 6 is formed by a drum 6". The paste pan is formed with a pair of upwardly projecting posts 6 having bearing portions in which a shaft 7 is fulcrumed. On the shaft 7, a bafile plate 8 is secured to turn therewith, the bafile 8 having a bottom bar 8*, as shown. The shaft 7 has a' finger engaging turn portion 7, by

means Of which the shaft 7 may be turned.

Mounted on the shaft 7 is'a pair of collars 9 which are laterally adjustable on the shaft 7 and held in position by set screws 4), as most clearly shown Fig. 2. Fixedly secured to or formed with the collars 9' are guides 9 which project forwardly toward the front of the machine, and between which the elongated strip or label 100 is adapted to pass. I 10 designates a roller having its shaft 10 mounted in (i. The paste-pan, it should be also stated, preferably has its front formed with a slanting end 6, as shown, and for a purpose presently understood.

rollers carried by a shaft 11 jourualed in bearing apertures in the uprights 2--2 and adjacent the bed plate 2, the shaft 11 projecting through one of said uprights understood. I

12 designates a supplemental frame hingedly or pivotally mounted at 12 to the uprights 2 of the bed plate upon li -C11 designate pairs of transversely grooved elongated portion 2 and a laterally projecting portion 2 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The

a crank 4 being provided on the shaft 4 for the purpose each side thereof and with a curved guide 2 to permit hearing apertures 6 in the side walls of the paste-pan 2 and carrying a pinion 11" for a purpose presently 2. The supplemental frame 12 is in,the nature of a I yoke member whose pivoted end 12 carries a coil spring 13 which has one end secured to the portion 12 and has its other end lying against the bed plate 2 so that the frame '12 is normally held parallel with the bed plate2, a stop pin 12 being provided on one of the arms of the supplemental frame 12 to engage the upright 2 and limit the movement ofthe frame 12 under the influence of the spring 13.

14 designates a thumb operated member which is pivotally mounted to the upright 2 and is adapted to engage the pin 12 at times to lift the frame 12 and move it on its pivot. The frame 12 at the front is formed with inwardly projecting portions 12 on theends of which an upper pair of rollers 15 are journaled, which rollers-15 cooperate with one pair of rollers 11 and are normally held in engagement with the rollers 11 by the action of the coil spring 13. Mounted between the uprights 2 at the extreme front endthereof, is a knife blade 16 which is secured to the bed plate 2 by screws 16, and the knife blade 16 cooperates with the knife blade 17 on a presser member 18 hereinafter again referred to. .l'ournaled on a lug or stub shaft 2 projecting from one of the uprights 2 is a gear wheel 19 which meshes with a pinion 11 hereinbefore referred to, and the gear wheel 19 is attached to a ratchet 20 that is also mounted on the stub shaft 2*.

21 designates brackets fastened to the laterally extending portion 2 of the bed plate 2 between which brackets the fulcrum or shaft portion 22 of the arm 22 is pivotally mounted. The arm 22 projects laterally with the paste-pan 6 toward the front of the machine, and at the front the arm 22 has a projecting portion 22 on which the presser and movable cutter member 18 is pivotally mounted, and secured in place by a milled nut 22 and a collar 22 as shown in the drawings.

The shaft portion 22 in the arm 22 carries an upwardly projecting post 23 which is bifurcated as at 23" and provided with alining apertures 23". Mounted on a pin 24 which passes through one set of apertures 23 is a pawl 24 which has a hook end 24 to engage the ratchet 20 to move the same in a manner presently understood. The arm 22 is slotted as at 22 to permit passage of a rod 25 which is fulcrumed in the arm 22 on a pin 25;- The rod 25 connects with the operating arm 26 that is pivotally mounted at 26 to hearing brackets 27 secured beneath the table 1. The arm 26 is normally held adjacent the table to raise the arm 22 by a coil spring 28. A coil spring 24 is provided for holding the pawl 24 in engagement with the ratchet 20, and by reason of the series of apertures 23 in the post 23, the pivot or fulcrum of the pawl 24 can be varied as conditions may require. The arm 26 is formed with a lever 29 which has a foot engaging portion 29, by means of which the lever 29 can be operated to swing the arm 26 on its fulcrum 26 against the ten- 7 sion of the spring 28.

some? neath the same. The object in providing the hingcd wing 32 is for conveniently feeding and handling the articles to be pasted.

The cutter 17, it should be stated, is adjustnbly sc' cured to the presser 18 by a set screw 17 and by being slidably held in the dove-tail grooves 18 or by any other desired and convcnientmcans. The screw l7 passes through a flange 17 Any suitable receiver may be provided for the addressed articles, aftcr they have passed from under the operation of'the machine, and guide boards 33 may be also provided for convenience in feeding the articlcs to be pasted. The endless strip of addresses 100 passes from the reel over the drum 6 and under the rod 8" and from thence over the roller 10 between the rollers 11 and 15, the rollers serving as food rollers to draw the strip from the reel in the manner to bc presently explained.

So far as described, the manner in which my invention operates can be bcst'cxplaincdss follows:A ftcr the mailing list or strip has been placed in position, the papers are fed to the machine as indicated in Fig. l, and the operator as cach paper is in alincmcnt with the pr sser 18 and the strip 100, presses down on tho foot lef'er, which causes the arm 22 to be drawn downwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3,.which causes the knives '16-17 lo cut the paper between the address portions thereof and simultaneously press the cut-off portion onto the paper being labeled. This causes the label to adhcrc to the paper which can then be fed out of alincnicnt with the strip and a new paper exposed.

7 It should be understood that as the strip 100 passes over the roller 10, the paste within the paste-pan (i will be applied to the strip by the roller. As the operator releases the lever 29, the spring 28 will return the arm 26, adjacent the table and raise the arm 22 on its pivot, thus elevating the presser 18 to its starting position. It should be mentioned that a coil spring 118* has one end connected to a pin 18 on tho prcsscr 18 and to an adjustable arm 18 mounted on the arm 22 so that the presser 18 will always normally tend to become elevated, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It should also be stated that as soon as the presser 18 is moved downward, when the foot lever is operated, the heel 18' thereof will engage the spring 30 and be forced to exert a shearing action in cooperation with the knife 16, on the address strip. As the foot lcvcr is released, and the arm 22 elevated, the pawl 24 will operate upon the ratchet 20 to turn the gear 19 and pinion 11 and thus'cause the strip 100 to expose a. new addrcsscdportion.

Instead of using foot power to oporatc the machine, I may operate the machine by connecting the rod 24 to a crank 35 on a shaft 35 which may be geared with the power shaft 36 through gears 35" and 36". If dcsired, any suitable mechanical power may be applied to the shaft 36 to impart motion thereto, such power mechanism not being shown in the drawings, as tho specific construction thereof per sc, forms no part of my present invention. I

By adjusting the pawl 24 with its pin 24" in the different apertures 23, the length of stroke of pawl 24 will be varied, and hence the length of the strip .100 which is fed out to the cutter will be varied proportionately. This allows for addresses of different heights since by making the adjustment thus the strip will be adjustedproportionately.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the complete construction, operation and numerous ad .for articles of different forms by simply making the feed board higher or lower withrespect to the cutting mechanism to such a degree as is necessary to permit the article to pass under the cutting and pressing mechanism,

What I claimis: 1. A bed plate, a bobbin supported thereon, a strip mounted on said bobbin, a paste-pan, guide members pivotally mounted in hearings on said paste-pan betweenwhich said strip passes, a paste applying roller engaging the strip, combined with means for feeding the strip over the paste roller, and means for cutting the strip and applying the cut section of the strip to the article to be labeled.

2. A bed'plate, a bobbin supported thereon, a strip mounted on said bobbin, a paste-pan, Iguide members.

pivotally mounted in hearings on said paste-pan'between which said strip passes, a paste applying'roller engaging the strip, combined with means for feeding the strip over the paste roller, means for'cutting the strip and applying the cut section of the strip tothe article to be labeled, together with a receiving board coiiperativelysupported beneatlii'the cutting mechanism, substantially as shown and dsc-ibed. g s

3. A'j's ir'ip carrying reel, means for applying 'paste to the strip, means for cutting the strip and pressing it against the'article to be labeled, means for feeding the strip to the cutting and pressing means combinedwith adjustable guides for the strip, together with a receiving board having a hinged wing, substantially as shown and described.

4. Astrip carrying reel, means for applying paste to the strip, means for cutting the strip and pressing it against the article to be labeled,"means for feeding the strip to the cutting and pressing means combined with adjustable guides for the strip, together with a receiving board having a hinged wing, and a'gulde for thearticle being labeled.

5. in a machine of the class described, a bed plate, a bobbin mounted thereon to receivethe address strip, a paste-pan mounted on the bed plate and having a drum portion adjacent the bobbin and a depressed portion merging withthe drum portion, a plvota lly supported bar held within the paste-pan adjacent the depressed portion, undelwhich bar the address strip is adapted to'pass, a pasting roller mounted in hearings in the paste-pan, over which roller the address strip isadapted to pass, a feeding mechanism and -a cutting mechanism, means for operatim: the feeding mechanism and the cutting mechanism,

hearings in said paste-pun combined with a pivoted baiile adjacent the drum shaped end, substantially as shown and described.

T. in an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of sets of relatlvely fixedly held feed rollers combined with ,a pivotally mounted roller carrying frame, feed rollers carried by the roller-carrying frame, one for each pair of relatively fixedly held feed rollers, a separate means for normallytending to hold said pivotally mounted frame with its rollers adjacent the relatively fixedfeed rollers,

together with a finger engageable and operated mechanism for moving the pi'votally mounted fraineon its fulcrum and swing the rollers in the arc of a circle out of proximity with the relatively fixed rollers, substantially as shown and described. I

8. In a machineof the class described, a fixedly-held knife, combined with a pivotally mounted arm, a movable knife pivotally mounted on said movable arm, means for swinging said movable arm on its pivot'to bring its knifein cooperation with the fixedly held knifexto cut the strip and press itagainst'the article to which it;, is to be afiixed, substantially as shown and described. 5

9. In a machine of the class described, a fixedly held knife, combined with a movable arm, and a'knife pivotally connected with said movable arm, means for moving said movable arm with its knife into coiiperation with the fixedly held knife to cut the strip and press it against the article to which itfis to ,be affixed, together with means for engaging the plvotally connected knife as the movable arm is moved to cause the pivotally connected knife to eifect a shearing action with the fixedly held knife, substantially asshown and described.

10. In an apparatus .of the class described, a bed plate,

an address strip carrying bobbin mounted'thereon, -a paste-pan mounted on said bed plate, said paste-pan having a drum portion adjacent the bobbin, a cross rod carried by the paste-pan adjacent the drum'under which the address strip passes, a pasting roller carried by the pastepan over which the addressing strip passes, guide arms carried by the 'paste-pan for cooperating with the strip, a feed mechanism for drawing thestrip through. the

paste-pan, combined with a cutting mechanism, said cutting mechanism comprising a fixed knife, a'nda movable strip passes, a pasting roller carried by the paste-pan over which the address strip passes, guide arms carried by the paste-pan' for coilperating with the strip, a feed 'mech'anism for drawing the strip through the pastepan knife, and means for directing the movable knife into-* -drum portion adjacent the bobbin, :1 cross rod carried by I the paste-pan adjacent the drum under which the address.

hearings in the bed plate, a presser pivotally carried by said arin to which said movable knife is secured, means connecting the presser and the movable arm together to normally elevate the presser with relation to the arm,

meansfor no'rmally holding the arm elevated and means for lowering thearm'to bring the movable cutter into coilperative relation with the iixcd cutter to cut the'strip,

substantially as shown and described.

- 12. In an apparatus of the class described, a bed plate, an address strip carrying bobbin mounted thereon, a

paste-pan mounted on said bed plate, said paste-pan having a drum portion adjacent the bobbin, :1 cross rod carried by the paste-pan adjacent tie drum under which the address strip passes, a pasting roller carried bythe paste-pan over which the addressing strip passes, guide arms carried bythe paste-pan for coiiperating with the strip, a feed mechanism for drawing the strip through the paste-pan combined with a cutting'mechanism, said cutting mechanism comprising a hired knife, and a movable knife.

the arm to bring the movable cutter into cooperative re lation with the fixed cutter to cut the strip, together with means for engaging the presser as the movable arm guides it and the movable cutter into operative relation with the fixed cutter to effect a shearing action of the cutters to cut the strip, substantially as shown and described.

13, A machine of the class described, comprising the following elements in combination, a bed plate, an endless strip carrying bobbin mounted thereon, a paste-pan mounted in alin'ement with said bobbin, pasting means carried within the paste-pan, a fixed knife carried by the bed plate, a presser, a knife carried by said presser for 00- operating with the fixed knife, means for normally holding the entire presser and its knife elevated, means interposed between the paste-pan and the fixed knife for feeding the address strip over the pasting means and to the knife and presser mechanism, means for lowering the presser and its knife-into operative relation with the fixed knife to ,With the fixed knife, means for normally holding said presser and its knife elevated, means interposed between the pastepan and the fixed knife for feeding the address strip over the pasting means and to the knife and presser mechanism, means for lowering the presser and its knife into operative relation with'the fixed knife to cut the strip and press the cut portion against the article to be labeled, and means cooperating with thelpresser for effect ing a shearing action between said knives, substantially as shown and described.

15. A machine of the class described, comprising the following elements in combination, a bed plate, an endless strip carrying bobbin mounted thereon, a paste-pan mounted in alinenient with said bobbin, pastingmeans carried by the paste-pan, a fixed knife carried by the bed plate. a

presser, a knife carried by said presser for coiipera ting with the fixed knife, means to which said presser is pivotally secured for normally holding said presser and its knife elevated, means interposed between the paste-pan and the fixed knife for feeding the address strip over the pasting rollers and to the knife and presser mechanisms, means for lowering the presser and its knife into operative relation with the fixed knife to cut the strip and press the cut portion against the article to be labeled, and means engaging the presser while being lowered to move the same on its pivot to cfi'ect a-shearing action between the knives, substantially as shown and described.

16. A machine of the class described, comprising the following elements in combination, a bed plate, an endless strip carrying bobbin mounted thereon, a paste-pan mounted in aiinement with said bobbin, pasting means carried by the paste-pan, a fixed knife carried by the bed plate, a presser. a knife carried by said presser for coiiperating with the fixed knife, means for normally holding said presser and its knife elevated, means interposed between the paste-pan and the fixed knife for feeding theaddress strip over the pasting means and to the knifeand presser mechanism, means for lowering the presser and its knife into operative relation with the fixed knife to cut the strip and press the cut portion against the article to be labeled. nicans cooperating with the presser for effecting a shearing action between said knives, an article guidwhoard carried by the bed plate, and a feed board adjustably mounted on a projecting portion of the bed plate.

1 7. In a machine of the class described, a bed plate having an elongated portion and a laterally projecting portion. a pair of uprights mounted at one end of said elongated portion, a strip carrying bobbin mounted at the other end of said elongated portion, a paste-pan interposed between ,the uprights and the bobbin and in alinement therewith,

said paste-pan having a drum shaped end adjacent the bob: bin, a bar carried by the paste-pan adjacent the drum under which the address strip passes, a pasteapplying roller carried by the pastepan over which the address strip passes,

a pair of guides adjustably carried by the paste-pan for engaging each side of the address strip as it passes there across, a relatively fixed knife adjustably mounted on the bed plate between the uprights, a rotatable shaft mounted in said uprights, feed rollers carried by said rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft projecting through one of said uprights, a pinion carried by the projecting portion of said shaft, a stubshaft carried by one of said uprights, a gear mounted on said stub shaft for engaging said pinion, a ratchet carried by said gear and stub shaft, a roller carrying frame pivotally mounted between said uprights, rollers carried by said frame for coiiperating with the first mentioned feed rollers, means for normally holding the pivotally mounted frame with its rollers adjacent the first mentioned feed rollers, said address strip passing between said feed rollers, bearings mounted on said projecting portion of the bed plate, an arm pivotally mounted in said bearings, a presser pivotally mounted on the end of said arm, a knife carried by said presser for coiiperating with the guides on the bed plate, a spring connecting the presser and the pivotally mounted arm for normally holding the presser elevated with relation to the arm, a post carried by the pivot portion of said arm, a pawl carried by said post and having an end for engaging said ratchet, means for normally holding said arm elevated, and means for drawing said arm down at times, substantially as shown and described. 18. In a machine of the class described, a bed plate having an elongated portion and a laterally projecting portion, a pair of uprights mounted at one end of said elongated portion, a strip carrying bobbin mounted at the other end of said elongated portion, a paste-pan interposed between the uprights and the bobbin and in alinement therewith, said paste-pan having a drum shaped end adjacent the bobbin, a bar carried by the paste-pan adjacent the drum under which the address strip passes, a paste applying roller carried by the paste-pan over which the address strip passes, a pair of guides adjustably carried by the paste-pan for enga ing each side of the strip as it passes there across, a relatively fixed knife adjustably mounted on the bed plate between the uprights, a rotatable shaft mounted in hearings in said uprights, feed rollers carried by said rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft projecting through one of said uprights, a pinion carried by the projecting portion of said shaft, a stub shaft carried by one of said uprights, a gear mounted on said stub shaft for engaging said pinion, a ratchet carried-by said gear and stub shaft, a roller carrying frame pivotally mounted between said uprights, rollers carried by said frame for co'iiperating with the first mentioned feed rollers, means for normally hold ing the pivotally mounted frame with its rollers adjacent the first mentioned feed rollers, said address strip passing between said feed rollers, bearings mounted on said projecting portion of the bed plate, an arm pivotally mounted in said benrings,'a presser pivotally mounted on the end of said arm, a knife carried by said presser for colipcrating with the knife on the bed plate, a spring connecting the presser and the pivotally mounted arm for normally holding the presser elevated, with relation to the arm, a post carried by the pivot portion of said arm, a pawl carried by said post and having an end engaging said ratchet, means for normally holding said arm elevated, means for drawing said arm down at times, and means for engaging the presser as the arm is drawn down to cause the cutter knives to elicct a shearing action on the address strip and a feed-board held under the cutting mechanism, substantially as shown and described.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, an endless strip carrying bobbin, a paste applying means, a pair of pivotally mounted strip side engaging guides mounted :nijacent the paste applying means, means for feeding the endless strip over the paste applying means between the guides and to the articles to be labeled, combined with means for cutting a section off of the strip and applying it to the article to be labeled.

JOHN C. THOMSON.

Witnesses:

ltomm'r RnxoALn, 01mm REDMAN. 

